Healthy communities require healthy materials. Today’s fossil-fuel-based plastics threaten the environment, human health, species maintenance, and the very life of the ocean. This presentation will review the history of plastics, the problems they pose today, the potential for bio-based plastics to mitigate the known health hazards and environmental impacts of fossil-fuel-based plastics, and the connection between disposable plastics and climate change. Brenda will conclude by addressing the policies and strategies needed to effect change and bring sustainable plastics materials to the marketplace.